Highway engineering will form part of a new set of six framework agreements that are being developed by Transport for London (TfL).
TfL is developing new professional services frameworks in an effort to deliver savings whilst helping improve the delivery of a multi billion pound transport improvements programme.
The frameworks will enable TfL to continue delivering its operational goals efficiently, effectively and economically whilst maintaining and improving the delivery of front line services for a capital with a growing population.
The current framework agreements have saved TfL £6 million in costs over a three and a half year period. It is expected similar if not improved savings will be achieved with the new framework agreements.
The frameworks will cover a variety of areas including the procurement of services to develop the Mayor of London’s Cycling Vision, improving accessibility across the transport network, addressing freight movements to improve the impact on local businesses and all road users and improved signalling on the Tube as well as increasing capacity on the network for customers.
The current framework will be replaced with the six new targeted frameworks intended to give TfL and the GLA better access to external consulting skills and capabilities.
The six professional services frameworks will be:
Highway engineering;
Railway engineering;
Transport planning and impact monitoring;
Civil and structural engineering; mechanical and electrical engineering; Multidisciplinary services;
Commercial services; project and programme management;
Environmental services; health and safety.
The frameworks will also enable TfL to support small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through the awarding of contracts, potentially leading to job creation across the supply chain. New figures released by TfL show that it has created 40,000 jobs outside London and 19,000 jobs in London through its supply chain.
Andrew Quincey, TfL director of commercial, said: “We’ve started developing a new set of framework agreements which will allow us to keep improving and maintaining London’s transport services for our customers whilst delivering the best possible value for money. The frameworks will also enable us to work collaboratively with the wider GLA group as well as London Boroughs.”
The frameworks are also aimed at improving the efficiency of project delivery such as, encouraging joint ventures as well as implementing an improved working relationship with specialist suppliers. They are expected to reduce costs and simplify the workloads associated with the bidding and overall management of the frameworks.
The existing framework will be extended until the new frameworks progressively come into use details will be provided nearer the relevant dates.
